Hongying acknowledged and withdrew. Soon she returned leading a man of ordinary appearance and medium build, dressed similarly to the previous Dongsheng – he should be one of Xiao Jingxi’s attendants.
After Tongde paid his respects, he stood respectfully to the side. Unless one deliberately paid attention, ordinary people wouldn’t let their gaze linger on him. His presence was extremely low, yet Ren Yaoqi sensed a peculiar aura from him. She didn’t know how to describe it, but felt that judging such a person by appearance would have serious consequences.
“Ask him whatever you want to know,” Xiao Jingxi said to Ren Yaoqi.
Xiao Jingxi’s words confirmed that her judgment was correct, but even so, she couldn’t help being somewhat surprised. Could this subordinate of his know everything?
Xiao Jingxi seemed to know what Ren Yaoqi was thinking and only smiled slightly without speaking.
Seeing him like this, Ren Yaoqi asked: “When will the Liu family people from Grand Madam Lei’s maternal home arrive in Yunyang City?”
Tongde bowed his head: “Miss, they will arrive before You Hour(17.00 – 18.00) tomorrow.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, who smiled as he poured tea, not interfering with their conversation.
After thinking, Ren Yaoqi asked again: “How long does the Lei family plan to keep Grand Madam Lei’s coffin?”
“Seven days.”
The Great Zhou Dynasty’s funeral customs generally involved keeping the coffin for seven days when conditions allowed, though some kept it for ten days or even months, but these were rare. Especially in summer, seven days was standard.
Ren Yaoqi nodded, then looked up at Xiao Jingxi: “How did Grand Madam Lei die?”
“Why ask this?” Ren Yaoqi already knew Grand Madam Lei had committed suicide, so she was naturally asking about the method of suicide.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then said softly: “I guess Grand Madam Lei’s body shouldn’t show obvious wounds or signs of poisoning.”
Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised: “How did you guess that?”
Ren Yaoqi tilted her head. Though she hadn’t done it deliberately, Xiao Jingxi still caught a trace of cleverness and certainty in her bright eyes: “Isn’t it obvious? The Liu family is coming to identify someone, and they’ll arrive tomorrow. Even though Grand Madam Lei has passed away, who knows if they might try to view her remains? Knowing the visitors come with ill intent, the Lei family still dares to keep Grand Madam Lei at home for a full seven days before burial, which means nothing visible on her body would reveal she died by suicide.”
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi and suddenly smiled, supporting his chin: “That makes sense, and your guess is correct.”
Xiao Jingxi sighed: “Though Grand Madam Lei was born humble, she truly was quite a person. I sent people to investigate and concluded she died from a ruptured heart meridian. Whether from illness or external force, a ruptured heart meridian shows no outward signs.”
Ren Yaoqi knew some elderly people might die from accidentally ruptured heart meridians, but from Xiao Jingxi’s meaning, Grand Madam Lei’s heart meridian might have been ruptured by external force. As for how this was determined, Ren Yaoqi didn’t know, but that wasn’t the point either.
“I have no more questions.” Ren Yaoqi nodded and thanked Tongde.
Though Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised she had only asked these two seemingly unimportant questions, he said nothing and dismissed Tongde.
“If you find it difficult, we could play chess to determine the winner.”
Xiao Jingxi suggested: “How about I give you a five-stone handicap?”
Xiao Jingxi knew Ren Yaoqi’s ability. If he gave her several stones, she wouldn’t be without a chance of winning.
Ren Yaoqi was contemplating something. Hearing this, she came back to her senses but still shook her head: “Let’s stick with the original bet.”
Even the composed Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but become curious: “How do you plan to help the Lei family?”
Ren Yaoqi blinked, showing some playfulness: “If I had Lei Ting arrange Grand Madam Lei’s burial early tomorrow morning, what would his reaction be?”
Though common people sometimes kept coffins for three days, great families wouldn’t do this.
Xiao Jingxi didn’t speak. Xiao Jinglin, who had been watching from the side, frowned: “You want the Lei family to have Grand Madam Lei buried before the Liu family arrives? This would indeed temporarily avoid the Liu family trouble, but… would the Han family allow it?”
Xiao Jingxi had originally thought the same, but seeing the cunning smile at the corner of Ren Yaoqi’s mouth, his heart stirred. After lowering his eyes to ponder for a moment, he understood somewhat.
When he looked up again, his gaze at Ren Yaoqi was somewhat complex: “Truly excellent methods.”
Ren Yaoqi, seeing that he had figured out her plan in just an instant, felt somewhat defeated. If enemies were also as perceptive as Xiao Jingxi, wouldn’t she only be able to await slaughter?
“With you saying that, I’m becoming uncertain myself,” Ren Yaoqi said half-truthfully.
Xiao Jingxi smiled gently and comforted: “Those involved are confused, while bystanders see clearly.”
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Xiao Jingxi, then turned to Hongying: “It’s time for his medicine. Bring it up.”
Xiao Jingxi: “…”
Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jinglin and couldn’t help wanting to laugh. She knew Xiao Jinglin was probably in a bad mood, though she wasn’t sure if it was because Xiao Jingxi’s reactions were quicker than hers, or because they had been talking only among themselves while ignoring her.
But Xiao Jinglin, at this moment, finally showed some resemblance to a girl of a similar age to her. Though even when sulking, Princess Xiao maintained an expressionless, calm, and composed demeanor.
Hongying immediately brought over a bowl of medicine. The speed made Ren Yaoqi feel they had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
Xiao Jingxi silently stared at the medicine bowl for a moment, then calmly drank all the medicine in one go, not arguing with Xiao Jinglin.
While he drank his medicine, Ren Yaoqi took the opportunity to explain a few things to Xiao Jinglin.
After Hongying cleared away the medicine bowl and returned, she reported that the shopkeeper had just come up to ask if they could serve the food.
They had been talking for quite some time, and it was now mealtime.
Xiao Jingxi nodded and instructed: “Serve it.”
At the mention of food, Xiao Jinglin immediately perked up, saying to Ren Yaoqi: “Last time I said I’d bring you to eat roast duck, but we were delayed by other matters. Tan’s roast duck is very famous – they even have a branch in the Capital, though Xiao Jingxi says the Capital branch doesn’t taste as authentic as this one in Yunyang City.”
Ren Yaoqi hadn’t eaten Tan’s roast duck in Yunyang City, but she had tried the Capital branch. Master Pei loved Tan’s duck necks and when drinking at home, always had her send servants to buy some as drinking snacks.
Thinking of these past events, Ren Yaoqi’s expression became somewhat distant. Compared to those dozen years in Yanbei, her life in the Capital and the years following Master Pei to his provincial posts left deeper impressions.
Xiao Jingxi noticed Ren Yaoqi’s momentary distraction and raised his eyebrows slightly.
The food was served quickly. Hongying and another of Xiao Jinglin’s maids set the table in the outer room, not leaving it to the restaurant staff. Ren Yaoqi was certain someone was watching the kitchen as well.
Previous meals with Xiao Jinglin hadn’t involved so many precautions. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help glancing at Xiao Jingxi, then understanding somewhat. She couldn’t help sighing that Yanbei Prince’s Manor was truly a strange place – raising sons required much more care than raising daughters.
Xiao Jingxi was very perceptive and immediately caught Ren Yaoqi’s glance, feeling somewhat puzzled.
Seeing that the outer room was nearly arranged, Xiao Jinglin pulled Ren Yaoqi to her feet, then said expressionlessly to Xiao Jingxi: “She just thinks you’re too delicate and not as easy to get along with as me. Nothing else.”
Ren Yaoqi silently turned her head away.
Princess, are you trying to kindly explain to me?
Ren Yaoqi wasn’t sure if her eyes were playing tricks, but she thought she saw the veins at Xiao Jingxi’s temple twitch beneath his perfect smile.
Ren Yaoqi coughed lightly, feeling she should say something to ease the atmosphere: “I wanted to thank Young Master Xiao, because having an additional female guest has caused him trouble.” She admitted the delicate one was herself, not that formidable young master.
But Xiao Jinglin wasn’t appreciative. She opened her mouth to say something else. Afraid she might enumerate some of Xiao Jingxi’s “delicate” qualities, Ren Yaoqi quickly pulled her along several steps while laughing and interrupting: “I rarely eat at restaurants outside. Speaking of it, both times I’ve come out have been with the Princess.”
Xiao Jinglin didn’t continue but followed her lead: “There aren’t many good restaurants in Yunyang City – only two or three. We should try them all in the future.”
Xiao Jingxi walked out slowly, no trace of embarrassment visible on his face.
Since they included both men and women who weren’t all blood relatives, it wouldn’t be proper to eat at the same table. So the maids brought three low tables – Ren Yaoqi’s and Xiao Jinglin’s were placed side by side, with Xiao Jingxi sitting opposite, similar to some banquet arrangements.
Presumably, Xiao Jinglin disliked eating this way, which was why she had complaints about Xiao Jingxi’s arrangements.
However, Ren Yaoqi felt that although only the three of them and several maids were present, with no outsiders, proper etiquette should still be observed. She didn’t find Xiao Jingxi’s arrangements inappropriate, as she was generally a rule-abiding person.
Tan’s signature dish was roast duck, served with crispy thin pancakes that looked appetizing at first glance.
Besides a plate of sliced roast duck, her and Xiao Jinglin’s low tables had several other hot dishes, both meat and vegetables, all colorful and attractive.
Xiao Jingxi’s table, however, held extremely plain dishes – no red or green colors visible at first glance, all clear broths and simple fare, mostly vegetarian.
Ren Yaoqi remembered that Xiao Jingxi was in poor health and presumably had to watch his diet.
This meal wasn’t unpleasant, even with Xiao Jingxi present.
Throughout, Xiao Jingxi sat quietly eating with his head down, serving himself without having anyone wait on him, perhaps because of what Xiao Jinglin had said earlier.